Wall panel extension clip

ABSTRACT

In a wall panel for use within a building, a U-shaped wall retainer panel member defining the upper termination surface of the wall panel is normally utilized for attaching the wall panel to the room ceiling. The wall retainer panel member has downwardly extending legs on which are formed coupling means for the attachment of components of the wall panel. The base surface of the panel member is provided with longitudinally spaced tab means for the attachment of a cover member that extends outwardly and downwardly from the upper surface of the wall panel to conceal the legs of the wall retainer panel member. An extension clip having a U-shaped cross section is provided with coupling means on its legs which, at selected locations along the length of the wall retainer panel member are engagable between the coupling means of the panel member to attach the clip to the panel member. The legs of the extension clip are provided with second coupling means that are downwardly spaced from the first coupling means and vertically aligned therewith. The clip is attachable to the components of the wall panel in the same manner as the wall retainer panel member and, similarly, is concealed by the cover member. The space formed between the legs of the extension clip and the space formed between the extension clip and the cover member facilitate the passage of wiring within the wall panel.

United States Patent 1191 De Schutter June 25, 1974 WALL PANEL EXTENSION CLIP 75 Inventor: Camiel R. De Schutter, St. Clair Shores, Mich.

[73] Assignee: Perfect Module Systems, Inc., Mt. Clemens, Mich.

22 Filed: Apr. 23, 1973 211 Appl. No.2 353,652

[51] Int. Cl E04f 19/02 [58] Field of Search 52/624, 614, 716, 718, 52/717 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,307,293 l/l943 Paul 52/285 3,044,587 7/1962 Whyte 52/718 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,301,778 7/1962 France 52/479 Primary Examiner.lohn E. Murtagh Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Weiner, Basile and Weintraub [57] ABSTRACT In a wall panel for use within a building, a U-shaped wall retainer panel member defining the upper termination surface of the wall panel is normally utilized for attaching the wall panel to the room ceiling. The wall retainer panel member has downwardly extending legs on which are formed coupling means for the attachment of components of the wall panel. The base surface of the panel member is provided with longitudinally spaced tab means for the attachment of a cover member that extends outwardly and downwardly from the upper surface of the wall panel to conceal the legs of the wall retainer panel member. An extension clip having a U-shaped cross section is provided with coupling means on its legs which, at selected locations along the length of the wall retainer panel member are engagable between the coupling means of the panel member to attach the clip to the panel member. The legs of the extension clip are provided with second coupling means that are downwardly spaced from the first coupling means and vertically aligned therewith. The clip is attachable to the components of the wall panel in the same manner as the wall retainer panel member and, similarly, is concealed by the cover member. The space formed between the legs of the extension clip and the space formed between the extension clip and the cover member facilitate the passage of wiring within the wall panel.

5 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures WALL PANEL EXTENSION CLIP CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present invention discloses a wall panel system which is related in substance to the subject matter disclosed in co-pending U.S. Pat. application, Ser. No. 91,083, filed on Nov. 19, 1970 for Building Panel Construction System in the name of Camiel R. De- Schutter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to building wall panels and wall construction systems and, in particular, to an extension clip for use within such wall panels.

2. Description of the Prior Art I In the aforementioned co-pending United States Patent Application, there is disclosed a wall panel system which includes a plurality of end to end abuting U- shaped wall retainer panel members tha form the upper termination surface of each wall panel and which may be utilized for attaching the panels to the ceiling of the room wherein the panels are employed. These panel members are provided with various tab means for the attachment of a cover member or trim moulding which, in turn, conceals both the panel member and the coupling means utilized to fasten other components of the wall panel to the panel member. The wall panel system described in the aforementioned co-pending application generally comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced posts with wall panels and/or doors provided therein between to form an entire wall. The aforementioned trim moulding extends across the full length of the wall panel and for aesthetic purposes, it is desirable that the juncture points between the various components of the system and the panel member appear to be uniform. Such juncture points may include the provision of a door or window and the upper termination of these components should also be uniformly mated with the ceiling moulding.

Although numerous devices and systems have heretofore been constructed and utilized in the fabrication of wall panels of the type disclosed in the aforementioned co-pending United States Patent Application, to the knowledge of the inventor, there is no structure available which accomplishes the aforementioned results.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention which will be described subsequently in greater detail, comprises an extension clip member having a uniform longitudinal length and of a U-shaped cross section with each leg of the member having first and second deformations fonning vertically aligned shoulders, adapted to, respectively, engage upper and lower components of a wall panel system.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a new and improved extension clip for use within a wall panel system of the type described herein.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a wall panel system having a uniform appearance along the lower edge of the ceiling moulding, the same being accomplished in an extremely simple and inexpensive manner.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a wall panel system having wiring and conduits therein which areeasily accessible during installation and for maintenance.

Other objects, advantages and applications of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art of building wall panel construction and systems and, in particular, extension clip members, when the accompanying description of one example of the best mode contemplated for practicing the present invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawing wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. I is a fragmentary cross sectional view through an upper section and/or termination of a wall panel having an extension clip constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the extension clip illustrated in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing, and in particular, to FIG. 2, wherein there is illustrated a perspective view of an extension clip member 10 of an integral construction and comprising an elongated base 12 having downwardly extending legs 14 and 16 to form a clip member having a U-shaped cross section. The base 12 has a width from leg to leg which may range from two to three inches, depending on the particular application. The base width is approximately 2 inches, while the legs are approximately 0.68 inches in length.

Although the extension clip member 10 is described hereinafter with respect to a wall of a building room, it is to be understood that the extension clip may be used in the exterior walls of the building or in wall structures that do not form a wall of a building.

Each of the legs 14 and 16, are identical in their construction, and thus the following description of the leg l4-is equally applicable to the leg 16, and corresponding numbers shall be utilized to describe like components of the legs 16 and 14. The leg 14 comprises an outwardly inclined wall section 18, a vertical wall section 20 and an inwardly deformed section 24, the outer surface of which forms a downwardly facing shoulder 26, which functions as a coupling means in a manner which will be described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 1. Below the deformed section 24, the leg 14 has an outwardly inclined wall 28, which terminates at a vertical wall 30. It should be noted that the outwardly inclined section or wall 28 extends beyond the outer surface of the vertical wall 20. The second vertical wall 30 terminates at a second inwardly deformed section 32 which includes an upwardly facing shoulder 34 formed on the inner surface of the leg 14. The inwardly deformed section 32 and the upwardly facing shoulder 34 define a second coupling means which is utilized in a manner to be described hereinafter with respect to FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary cross sectional view through a wall panel 35 utilizing the inventive extension clip member 10. It is to be understood that FIG. 1 illustrates only half of the components of the wall panel, however, the unillustrated halves are identical. The wall panel, as illustrated in FIG. 1, comprises a wall retainer panel member 36, which is U-shaped in cross section and which has a longitudinal length which is equal to the length of a panel section of the wall and in the preferred embodiment is approximately 4 feet in length. The wall retainer panel member 36 has a base 37 which has at its opposite ends a downwardly extending notches 38, against which abuts the upper surface of the base 12 of extension clip member 10, when the same is inserted into position as will be described hereinafter. Longitudinally spaced along the length of the panel member 36 are a plurality of retention tabs 40. Retention tabs 40 provide a fastening means for a trim cover or moulding 42. The trim moulding 42 is a U- shaped member with one leg having an extension thereon that couples with the retention tab 40 to secure the cover 42 in the position illustrated. The panel member 36 has opposing legs 44, which extend downwardly and terminate in inwardly directed deformations to form upwardly facing shoulders 46.

The extension clip member is inserted between the opposing inner surfaces of the ceiling panel member legs 44, such that the downwardly facing shoulder 26 of the extension clip member legs 14 and 16 engage the upwardly facing shoulder 46 of the panel member legs 44, thereby securing the extension clip 10 in the position illustrated. With the extension clip member 10 in the position illustrated in FIG. 1, the lower portion of the clip legs 14 and extend below the legs 44 of the panel member 34 but are concealed by the trim moulding 42. The space 45 between the legs of the trim moulding 42 and the legs of the extension clip 10 and the panel member 36 form a conduit for the passage of wiring such as telephone wiring. Since the trim moulding 42 is releasably attached to the panel member 36, installation and maintenance of the wiring are easily facilitated due to the accessibility thereto.

A suitable component 46 of the panel 35, such as the upper termination edge of a window frame, may then be inserted into a locking engagement with the coupling means defined by the deformation engagement at the lower end of the extension clip legs 14 and 16. This panel component 46 will be in line with the bottom edge of the trim moulding 42, and thus adding to the overall appearance of the wall. The additional moulding may be utilized for attaching a window or a door or the like as described in greater detail in the aforementioned co-pending United States Patent Application. It should also be noted that along various sections of the panel member 36, wherein it is not desired to attach a door, window or the like beneath the panel member 36, but a wall is to be attached, then the lower component 46 would be attached directly to the lower shoulder 46 of the panel member leg 44 and the extension clip is not utilized. The space 47 defined by the extension clip 10 and the panel component is also usable to facilitate the passage of wiring and conduits therein.

It can thus be seen that the present invention provides an extremely simple means for extending the coupling length of a wall panel component along any portion of the entire length of the component without having to provide non-uniform components for the mounting of windows or doors or the like and one which provides accessibility to the interior thereof for the installation and maintenance of wiring and conduits carried by the wall panel system.

Although only one form of the present invention has been disclosed, it should be understood by those skilled in the art of wall panel systems, that other forms could be had, all coming within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A wall panel comprising alongitudinal panel member of a predetermined length and having a U-shaped cross section, said panel member forming the upper termination of said wall panel, the legs of said U-shaped panel member extending downwardly from said base, said base having longitudinally spaced first coupling means on opposite sides thereof and adjacent said legs, said legs having longitudinally disposed second coupling means formed on the opposing inner surfaces of said legs;

a cover member of a predetermined longitudinal length having means engaging said first coupling means on said panel member to secure said cover member to said panel member in such a manner that said cover member extends downwardly a distance which is greater than the length of said legs to conceal said legs;

an extension clip having a length substantially less than said panel member predetermined length, said extension clip having a U-shaped cross section and positionable between said legs of said panel member, the legs of said extension clip having first opposing coupling means engagable with said first panel member coupling means to fasten said clip to said panel member when said clip is disposed between said panel member legs, each of said extension clip legs having second longitudinally disposed coupling means downwardly spaced from said first extension clip coupling means, said second extension clip coupling means being shaped identical to said second panel member coupling means and concealed by said cover member.

2. The wall panel defined in claim 1 wherein said panel member second coupling means comprises an inward deformation of each of said panel member legs forming an upwardly facing shoulder;

said first extension clip coupling means comprising an inwardly deformation of each of said extension clip legs forming a downwardly facing shoulder engagable with said upwardly facing shoulder of said panel member legs when said extension clip is positioned between said panel member legs.

3. The wall panel defined in claim 2, wherein said extension clip legs extend downwardly beyond said first coupling means of said extension clip legs, said legs being inclined outwardly from said first mentioned deformation of said legs, said second coupling means of said extension clip legs comprising inward deformations of said legs forming upwardly facing shoulders, said shoulders being vertically aligned with said panel member leg shoulders when said extension clip is positioned between said panel member legs. I

4. The wall panel system defined in claim 1, wherein said cover member is spaced from the legs of said panel member and said extension clip to define a space therein between to accommodate the passage of wiring, said cover member being releasably to said panel member.

5. The wall panel system defined in claim 1, wherein said legs of said extension clip are of sufficient length and spaced apart a sufficient distance to accommodate the passage of wiring and conduits therebetween.

I! =8 0 k k 

1. A wall panel comprising a longitudinal panel member of a predetermined length and having a U-shaped cross section, said panel member forming the upper termination of said wall panel, the legs of said U-shaped panel member extending downwardly from said base, said base having longitudinally spaced first coupling means on opposite sides thereof and adjacent said legs, said legs having longitudinally disposed second coupling means formed on the opposing inner surfaces of said legs; a cover member of a predetermined longitudinal length having means engaging said first coupling means on said panel member to secure said cover member to said panel member in such a manner that said cover member extends downwardly a distance which is greater than the length of said legs to conceal said legs; an extension clip having a length substantially less than said panel member predetermined length, said extension clip having a U-shaped cross section and positionable between said legs of said panel member, the legs of said extension clip having first opposing coupling means engagable with said first panel member coupling means to fasten said clip to said panel member when said clip is disposed between said panel member legs, each of said extension clip legs having second longitudinally disposed coupling means downwardly spaced from said first extension clip coupling means, said second extension clip coupling means being shaped identical to said second panel member coupling means and concealed by said cover member.
 2. The wall panel defined in claim 1 wherein said panel member second coupling means comprises an inward deformation of each of said panel member legs forming an upwardly facing shoulder; said first extension clip coupling means comprising an inwardly deformation of each of said extension clip legs forming a downwardly facing shoulder engagable with said upwardly facing shoulder of said panel member legs when said extension clip is positioned between said panel member legs.
 3. The wall panel defined in claim 2, wherein said extension clip legs extend downwardly beyond said first coupling means of said extension clip legs, said legs being inclined outwardly from said first mentioned deformation of said legs, said second coupling means of said extension clip legs comprising inward deformations of said legs forming upwardly facing shoulders, said shoulders being vertically aligned with said panel member leg shoulders when said extension clip is positioned between said panel member legs.
 4. The wall panel system defined in claim 1, wherein said cover member is spaced from the legs of said panel member and said extension clip to define a space therein between to accommodate the passage of wiring, said cover member being releasably to said panel member.
 5. The wall panel system defined in claim 1, wherein said legs of said extension clip are of sufficient length and spaced apart a sufficient distance to accommodate the passage of wiring and conduits therebetween. 